Improvement in invalid-beds



g/v Cms y /Jz Valid .55427 ./Vo. 4 a ya@ l Uf/7222222427 iufm, /864 um Q mi UNITED STATES JOSIAH CROSBY, OF MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHlRE.

IMPROVEMENT IN INVALID-BEDS.

Specification forming part ofLetters Patent No. 43,900, dated August 23, 1864.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosiAH CROSBY, of Manchester, in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Invalid- Beds; and l do hereby declare that the following` is a full and exactdescription thereof, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawlugs, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making part of this speoication, in Which- Figure l is a plan of the bedstead. Fig. 2 is a plan of the trundle-bed removed from the bedstead.' Fig. 3 is an elevation of the bedstead. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the trundlebed. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the bedstead and trundle-bed as combined.

The same letters refer to the same parts in all the drawings. y

A is the bedstead.

a a are the upper bed-rails, which may be made to revolve on their axes b b in suitable bearings in the posts of the bedstead.

d d are gears on the ends of the axes of the rails a, a, by which they lare revolved and which are operated by the endless screws c e on the shaft j', and are turned by a crank, as shown at g g.

a a! are the lower bed-rails or rods, which revolve on their aXes in suitable bearings in the posts of the bedstead, upon. the ends of which are the gears d d', operated by the endless screws e' c on the shaft f', by which the rails are revolved.

h h are bands attached i'o the rails a a', passing over the rails a a or over suitable pulleys, n u, and which are Wound round the rails a. a' by the revolution of the same. On the ends of these bands are hooks p p, on which the trundle-bed B is suspended, and which is raised or lowered by means of the bands h h and the revolution of the rails a a.

Bis a trundle-bed, of such size as to run freely under and inside the posts and rails of the bedstead, and having suitable catches, i t, into which the hooks p p on the bands h h are fastened, and runs on casters, vas shown at o o. 1n this trundle-bed is the mattress and under bedding, the upper bedding bein g placed over the top of the bands jj and the rails a a.

jj are bands fastened to the rails a a, adjustable to the length desired by buckles or other equi-valent devices, as at lc, and which are tightened or loosened by the revolution of the rails a a as turned by the gears d d` and endless screws c e. These bands are made of any desired width, with openings for the convenient use of the bed-pan, as shown at l, or for other similar purposes. The bottom of the bed is made with elastic strips or slats, as

shown at m m, or in any other convenient v mode, the bedstead being arranged to run on casters or Without, as desired.

The operation of this invalid-bed is as follows: The trundle-bedbeing separated from the bedstead in the relative position shown in Figs. l and 2, and the proper bedding being placed in the trundle-bed, it is run on its casters underneath and inside the bedstead, when the hooks p p fasten in the catches t' t' then by the revolution of the rails a/ a by the gears d d and screws c e the trundle-bed is raised up into contact with the transverse bands j j,

which are slackened, if desired, by turning inwardly the rails a a, so that the bands jj lie loosely on the bed. The patient being then placed on the bed, the length of the different bands j j are adjusted by means ofthe buckles k lc, so that they may sustain the Weight of the patient comfortably either with or without the revolution of the rails a a, when the trundle-bed is removed, the bands jj remaining loose and the patient resting on the bed sustained by the bands h h and the hooks pp until there is occasion to change the position of the trundle-bed.

If it is desired to use the bed-pan, remove the bedding, cleanse the patient, or perform any other operation, the rails a a are revolved till the bands j j are brought to the requisite degree of tension to sustain the patient; then the lower rails, a a, are revolved by the devices shown, and the trundle bed is lowered, leavingthe patient supported on the bands j j then the pan may be placed 'on the bed and brought in contact with the person of the patient through the opening'l. By turning the rails a a', or the bed being lowered to the licor and the trundle-bed run out, as shown by the relative positions in Figs. l and 2, the

bedding may be removed or changed 5 or the bed may be raised to any desired position without touching the patient, as for ventilation or to remove or prevent bed-sores or other purposes desired, his Weight being sustained by the bands jj alone and the bed being sussained by the bands h h.

Some of the more obvious advantages which this bed has over others are the facility it aiords in treating bed-sores or preventing their occurrence, and the ease with which parts of the body in contact with the bed can be ventilated and bathed, or dressings applied to wounds in those situations without moving the patient; the readiness with which defecation can be accomplished by the aid of a single assistant in cases of severe injury, and the general cleanliness and freedom from feter.

Whatl claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the bed'stead A, and y revolving bed-rails a and al', and the devices for operating the same with the adjustable transverse bands jj, constructed substantially as described, and for the uses and purposes set forth.

2. The combination of the bedstead A, and revolving bed rails a and a', and adjustable bands j j with the trundle-bed so arranged.

JOSIAH CROSBY.

Witnesses: v

HENRY F. CAREY, S. N. BELL. 

